NRL 2023: Broncos move to end Wayne Bennett feud ahead of the Dolphins derby

It was the sacking - and falling out - that rocked Queensland rugby league. Now Wayne Bennett has broken his silence following an invitation from Brisbane ahead of the derby.

Wayne Bennett (L) and Kevin Walters remain close despite the split. Picture: Darren England

Kevin Walters hopes the Broncos can mend bridges with Wayne Bennett following revelations the club extended an olive branch to the greatest coach in Brisbane’s 35-year history.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Broncos officially invited Bennett to attend last week’s formal reunion of the club’s 1993 and 1998 premiership teams in Brisbane.

The gala lunch at City Hall was to celebrate the 30 and 25-year anniversaries of Brisbane’s second and fourth title teams – which Bennett coached after helping found the club in 1988.

Bennett, the architect behind all six of Brisbane’s premierships, and the Broncos fell out dramatically in 2018 when he was sacked to make way for Anthony Seibold.

Bennett was incensed he was being pushed out of being head coach, leading to the deterioration of his relationship with the Broncos and key figures at the club.

The 35-year relationship has been fractured since, with tensions between Bennett and the Broncos simmering as he moved on to South Sydney for three years and now Brisbane’s cross-town rival the Dolphins.

Wayne Bennett (L) and Kevin Walters remain close despite the split. Picture: Darren England

But the Broncos have taken the first step towards welcoming the 73-year-old Bennett back to Red Hill by inviting him to last Friday’s celebration.

Bennett was in Newcastle preparing the Dolphins for their round 3 win against the Knights that night and could not attend the event.

“Yes, I was invited which was nice,” Bennett confirmed.

“I replied and told them I wasn’t going.

“I was in Newcastle anyway for the game so there was no way I could be there.”

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett. Picture: NRL Imagery

When asked if he would have attended if available, Bennett said it was “immaterial”.

It would have been easy for the Broncos to not invite Bennett to the function given the current status of their relationship and the destructive falling out in 2018.

However it was a mature move by the Broncos ahead of Friday night’s inaugural blockbuster Battle of Brisbane against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

Current Broncos coach Walters played in five of Bennett’s six Brisbane premiership teams and will go head-to-head with his former mentor on Friday night.

Despite a turbulent relationship over the years, Walters still considers Bennett a friend and hopes the current stand-off is just a bump in the road.

“He’s extremely well respected by all of us,” Walters said.

“His endeavours at the club through that period were amazing.

“Relationships can have their ups and downs.

“His time here was very successful and that’s what I think of when I think of Wayne Bennett. Then he’s been away and been successful as well.

“I don’t think that’s bothering anyone too much at the moment.”